Campaign 2012 Preview: Question 7 & The Ad Battle

Members of the United Auto Workers participate in a labor rally for Question 7 earlier this month at the site of what will be Baltimore City's casino. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

WBAL's Robert Lang talks to some of the people campaigning for and against expanded gambling. Download This File

Greg Jordan loads "Vote No on 7" lawn signs into his van. Jordan says he opposes Question 7, because he doesn't believe claims that it will fund schools, and he opposes gambling. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

The group that is working to pass Question 7 is sending out these robo calls featuring actress Eva Longoria. Download This File

This is the site of the Baltimore City casino to be built in two years. If Question 7 is approved, this casino will be allowed to have table games like black jack. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

Opponents of Question 7 claim that expanded gambling will not lead to more money for public schools. Baltimore Teachers Union President Marietta English reacts to that. Download This File

This anti Question 7 billboard is along the JFX. (Photo by WBAL's Robert Lang)

Pastor Jamal Bryant of the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore is against Question 7, and he explains why. Download This File

The onslaught of ads over gambling expansion has been like no other in a Maryland political year, subjecting residents to rapid-fire radio and television spots for and against Question 7. The barrage began long before ads for other ballot questions this year and has remained frenetic.

Gambling companies have spent more than $65 million so far on advertising, with less than two weeks to go before voters decide whether to approve table games such as blackjack and a Las Vegas-style casino near the nation's capital. That's compared with the $34 million campaigns spent in the 2006 Maryland governor's race - previously the most expensive in state history.

Many voters say they've made up their minds and had enough of the ads.

"It'll bring jobs," said Terri Tolliver, who said she would vote in favor of the question during a recent outing to National Harbor, a waterfront retail and residential area in Prince George's County. That's where a casino will be built, just across the Potomac River from Washington, if voters approve. "It'll bring revenue. Why should we have to drive all the way to West Virginia to gamble, or someplace else, when it can be here?"

Opponents are just as prompt in saying how they plan to vote.

"I'd prefer not to have a lot more traffic," said Trish Villasenor, who lives at National Harbor, where a large banner supporting the expansion is fastened to a parking garage. "I think we're probably not ready yet for the traffic, probably not interested in that type of clientele here."

Still advocates on both sides of the issue have told WBAL News that the ads have left many voters they have contacted confused.

"When I see the commercial five, six , seven or ten times, they have almost convinced me," Shari told WBAL News.

The Northwest Baltimore woman spent several hours this week knocking on doors as part of a campaign against Question 7.

Shari, who did not want to give her last name, believes Question 7 will not deliver on its promise of 12,000 jobs, or $200-million annually for schools.

Shari was part of an effort this week at the Empowerment Temple this week, where the pastor is worried that expanded gambling will lead to more crime and gambling addiction in the city.

"I think that Question 7 really is the exclamation point about what it means to take advantage of the least and the leftover," Rev. Jamal Bryant told WBAL News.

"Baltimore City has contributed more to Maryland State Lottery than any other jurisdiction in the state, but has received the least amount of benefit."

Bryant also told WBAL News that he doesn't believe the promises of Governor Martin O'Malley and other gambling supporters who say the revenue from expanded gambling will lead to additional money for public schools.

Supporters of the gambling question include a number of labor unions, who say expanded gambling will create 2,000 construction jobs, and up to 10,000 permanent jobs

"Question 7 is a positive thing for this city," said Gary Virtz, a UAW member and aircraft factory worker in Middle River.

He spoke to WBAL News at a recent labor rally for Question 7 in Baltimore.

"Any time you can bring money into the city to support the schools and local industry, how can that be bad?"

The Maryland General Assembly passed the legislation in an August special session, but voters get the final say. The legislation included a reduction in taxes for owners of five existing casinos , partly to make up for the added competition of the proposed sixth casino. All of the casinos would be able to have table games, if voters approve.

The tax reduction has some voters opposing the idea in a year when income taxes were raised on people who make more than $100,000 a year, and lawmakers doubled the state's flush-tax on sewer bills. Albert Almerraj, manager of the Safron Bakery Cafe in Hagerstown, said he probably wouldn't vote for the proposal, if the lower tax rate means the state will collect less money.

"If the revenue is going to go down from the gambling casinos to the state, it's not something I would consider voting for," Almerraj said. "The whole idea is to increase the revenue. God knows we need that right now."

Gaming Companies Compete for Ads

MGM which wants to build the Prince GeorgeÆs County casino at the National Harbor Resort has spent 37 million dollars on the campaign to pass Question 7..

Much of the advertising and the grass roots campaigning for and against the question is funded by gambling companies.

MGM which wants to build the Prince GeorgeÆs County casino at the National Harbor Resort has spent 37 million dollars on the campaign to pass Question 7.

Penn National Gaming has spent about $28-million for the campaign against Question 7.

The company owns the Hollywood Casino in Cecil County, plus the one in Charles Towne West Virginia which attracts Maryland gamblers. t

Supporters have criticized Penn National's involvement in the effort to defeat Question 7 as an effort to protect its West Virginia casino from competition from those in Maryland.

Pastor Bryant told WBAL News that he is not bothered that a gambling company is helping to fund the campaign against expanded gambling.

He likened their involvement "a drug dealer in Washington DC helped me to fund a campaign to stop drugs in Baltimore. I want the drugs stopped in Baltimore."

"My responsibility is Baltimore, not West Virginia, not Atlantic City not Vegas. "

Summary of the Expanded Gambling Proposal

PRINCE GEORGE'S CASINO

A casino could be built in Prince George's County with table games and 3,000 slot machines, if approved by voters statewide as well as voters in the county. The allowable area includes National Harbor and Rosecroft Raceway. Applicant proposals could include bids to keep up to 38 percent of the money generated by the casino. It could not open until 2016.

TABLE GAMES

Casinos would be allowed to have table games like blackjack. If approved by voters statewide, table games could be introduced early next year. Table game revenue would be taxed at 20 percent. If the ballot question passes statewide, but Prince George's voters reject it, table games would still be allowed in the state's casinos. However, legislative intent directs a state commission not to allow a casino in Prince George's, if the ballot question is supported statewide but not by voters in that county.

TAX RATES

The ballot question would change how much two casinos pay in taxes to varying degrees, if and when a Prince George's County casino is opened. Casinos currently pay 67 percent of the money generated in taxes.

Maryland Live! in Anne Arundel County would pay 8 percent less, cutting its rate to 59 percent. A planned casino in Baltimore would get a 7 percent tax cut for a 60 percent tax rate.

Regardless of whether a Prince George's casino opens, the casino in Worcester County would have a 57 percent rate starting in July 2013. A planned casino in Allegany County would get a 50 percent rate for 10 years and 57 percent after that.

Maryland Live! could seek an additional 2 percent tax reduction from a new commission, and the Baltimore casino could seek a 3 percent tax cut. Hollywood Casino in Perryville could seek a 5 percent reduction with the commission.

WHO OWNS THE SLOTS

Maryland Live! will get an additional 8 percent tax cut after they take control of slot machines ownership. The Baltimore casino and Hollywood Casino will get a 6 percent tax cut for owning the machines. Prince George's would get a 6 percent reduction as well, if a casino is approved there. The state will continue to own slot machines at the casinos in Allegany and Worchester counties. However they can later request to take control of the machines.

AROUND THE CLOCK

Casinos would be open 24 hours. Currently, they can be open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 am. Friday and Saturday.